The Message of the Cross

I. Introduction: Why do Christians put such emphasis on the
cross? What message does it convey, and exactly what does it symbolize?

II. Message:

A. The cross is a message about the justice of God.

God is the epitome of holiness and righteousness, so He must punish sin.

Every other religion teaches that people reach God through their works.

God placed all the sin of humanity on Christ in order to provide a
substitute in our place.

God deals not only with our actions; He changes us from the inside out.

B. The cross is a message about the wisdom of God.

The cross is foolishness to those who are perishing. The Jews and Greeks
saw the cross as a sign of weakness, shame, and punishment for crime.

Because salvation is a gift of God, we can’t take credit for what God
has done in our lives.

God’s redemptive plan is unique in human history.

People who attempt to work for their salvation never know if they have
done enough to go to heaven. In contrast, those who receive God’s
forgiveness have assurance of their salvation.

C. The cross is a message about the love of God.

God is love, but that doesn’t mean He overlooks sin.

If you receive salvation but then live a disobedient, rebellious life,
God will discipline you in love.

No one deserves to go to heaven. A 90-year-old man and a 10-year-old boy
are both saved by grace.

D. The cross is a message about the power of God.

Paul writes that the cross is about God’s power (1 Cor. 1:18).

God's power transforms anyone who will accept salvation.

Example: Prisoners who are incarcerated for life but have never felt
freer

Example: A drug addict whose life was eventually transformed after
he heard one sentence about God’s unconditional love

III. Closing: The message of the cross is that the Lord is
willing to save anyone who asks. Once you ask Him to forgive your sins, He
instantly begins to change your life. Live every day in the assurance that you
are in God’s loving hand, and that He will take care of you for all eternity.

God's Plan of Salvation

Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me,” John 14:5-6

Lord, Why Can’t I Change?

Take a look in the mirror. Do you see the joy of Christ in your eyes? Or are the destructive effects of sin betrayed by your appearance? The good news is that whatever your thoughts have been in the past, God can teach you to think differently.

The Message of the Cross

The message of the cross is that the Lord is willing to save anyone who asks. Once you ask Him to forgive your sins, He instantly begins to change your life. Live every day in the assurance that you are in God’s loving hand, and that He will take care of you for all eternity.

The Eternal Love of God

God promises that He will love us unconditionally and won’t ever leave or forsake us (Heb. 13:5). If God loved us only sometimes but not all the time, that would mean His character, feelings, or attitude is changeable. But our Lord never changes. Neither is His love contingent...